Services

Two arrested after police helicopter drama over Stourbridge's Old Quarter

TWO men were arrested in the early hours of yesterday morning (Wednesday) after a break-in at the old Longlands School site in Stourbridge's Old Quarter.

Police were called just after 1.30am to the derelict Brook Street site - which is owned by Birmingham Metropolitan College.

Officers were at the scene within minutes and they arrested a 20-year-old man nearby.

The National Police Air Service was also drafted in to assist from the sky with heat seeking cameras - and a 28-year-old man was found nearby.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Both were taken into custody on suspicion of burglary and are assisting police with their enquiries."

The drama is the latest to hit the old school and college site, which was mothballed in 2011 after Stourbridge College transferred its art department to new premises in Brierley Hill.

Just a few weeks ago, on April 11, a fire in an old classroom block prompted worried resident John Milner from Brook Street to set up a Facebook site to get people talking about how the site could be secured and used in future.

And John Starmer, executive director of estates at B-Met, said just yesterday (Tuesday): “We are taking steps to make sure the mothballed Longlands site is more secure. "We have stepped up our security patrols and our estates manager has been out to assess the site and speak to the residents.

"We’ve also been in touch with the local police to discuss the ongoing concerns that the community has about vandalism in the area and its impact locally. Residents should rest assured that we are listening very carefully to their concerns and will do what we can to work jointly with them to combat the problems experienced.”

A number of residents want to see the old playing fields on the site turned into allotments - while others have suggested the old school buildings could be used for art and craft workshops or even provide a new base for a boxing club.

Meanwhile - former ward councillor Nic Barlow is calling for college bosses, Dudley Council (which owns the playing fields), councillors and residents to get round the table and start discussing the site's future.

He said: "There's too many email conversations between organisations and that does not achieve anything."

To read what people are saying about the site check out 'Get something done about the Longlands Site' on Facebook.

Comments

Pair of ****! what a waste of resources these two knob heads have drained from an already strained service! suppose they will get the usual slap on the wrist eh!

Pair of ****! what a waste of resources these two knob heads have drained from an already strained service! suppose they will get the usual slap on the wrist eh!ozpat

Pair of ****! what a waste of resources these two knob heads have drained from an already strained service! suppose they will get the usual slap on the wrist eh!

Score: 1

HSolo1
10:43pm Thu 29 May 14

Glad to see a police helicopter being deployed for a couple of delinquents vandalising an empty building. We can all sleep happy, safe in the knowledge our houses are being burgled whilst we're on holiday, our cars are being stolen off our drives, paedophiles are dishing sweets outside our schools but empty buildings due for demolition have more air protection per square than our troops in Afghanistan. 👍

Glad to see a police helicopter being deployed for a couple of delinquents vandalising an empty building. We can all sleep happy, safe in the knowledge our houses are being burgled whilst we're on holiday, our cars are being stolen off our drives, paedophiles are dishing sweets outside our schools but empty buildings due for demolition have more air protection per square than our troops in Afghanistan. 👍HSolo1

Glad to see a police helicopter being deployed for a couple of delinquents vandalising an empty building. We can all sleep happy, safe in the knowledge our houses are being burgled whilst we're on holiday, our cars are being stolen off our drives, paedophiles are dishing sweets outside our schools but empty buildings due for demolition have more air protection per square than our troops in Afghanistan. 👍

Score: 1

HSolo1
10:46pm Thu 29 May 14

Glad to see a police helicopter being deployed for a couple of delinquents vandalising an empty building. We can all sleep happy, safe in the knowledge our houses are being burgled whilst we're on holiday, our cars are being stolen off our drives, paedophiles are dishing sweets outside our schools but empty buildings due for demolition have more air protection per square mile than our troops in Afghanistan. 👍

Glad to see a police helicopter being deployed for a couple of delinquents vandalising an empty building. We can all sleep happy, safe in the knowledge our houses are being burgled whilst we're on holiday, our cars are being stolen off our drives, paedophiles are dishing sweets outside our schools but empty buildings due for demolition have more air protection per square mile than our troops in Afghanistan. 👍HSolo1

Glad to see a police helicopter being deployed for a couple of delinquents vandalising an empty building. We can all sleep happy, safe in the knowledge our houses are being burgled whilst we're on holiday, our cars are being stolen off our drives, paedophiles are dishing sweets outside our schools but empty buildings due for demolition have more air protection per square mile than our troops in Afghanistan. 👍

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here